More than 300 armed bandits operating in the Sankera region have surrendered in the past three weeks, according to Jonathan Modi, chairman of Ukum County (Local Government Area) in Northcentral Benue State.
The Sankera region, which includes the Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala counties, has suffered years of violence, with bandits killing residents and crippling the local economy.
Modi disclosed the development on Saturday. “Since I assumed office on October 5, over 300 of these outlaws have voluntarily come out of the forests to embrace peace through dialogue and engagement,” he said.
He added that more than 1,000 militia members linked to two criminal groups, “Full Fire” and “Chain,” remain in the forests. Efforts are ongoing to convince others to surrender, according to Modi.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
